Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa presents to the media arrested foreigner Fehmi Lassoued, also known as John Rasheed Lassoned, allegedly a native of Egypt, along with a Filipino companion Anabel Moncera Salipada Monday, Feb. 19, 2018 at Camp Crame in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines. Lassoued and Salipada were arrested over the weekend in possession of assorted firearms, ammunitions and components for IED (Improvised Explosives Device) such as electronic resistors, capacitors, batteries and pipe fittings. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
The Associated Press
MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Philippine police say authorities have arrested an Arab man who they believe is a former commander of the Islamic State group.
Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa said Monday that police and military personnel arrested Fehmi Lassoued, an Egyptian who also uses the name John Rasheed Lassoned, and his Filipina companion, Anabel Moncera Salipada, in a Manila apartment last week based on intelligence provided by foreign counterparts.
Dela Rosa said bomb-making materials, firearms and ammunition were seized during the arrest.
He said investigators were looking into possible links of Salipada and Lassoued, who has a fake Tunisian passport, to local and foreign militant groups, and whether they were involved in any terrorist plot.
Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa reads his statement as he presents to the media arrested foreigner Fehmi Lassoued, also known as John Rasheed Lassoned, allegedly a native of Egypt, along with a Filipino companion Anabel Moncera Salipada Monday, Feb. 19, 2018 at Camp Crame in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines. Lassoued and Salipada were arrested over the weekend in possession of assorted firearms, ammunitions and components for IED (Improvised Explosives Device) such as electronic resistors, capacitors, batteries and pipe fittings. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
The Associated Press
Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa, right, answers questions from the media as he presents arrested foreigner Fehmi Lassoued, also known as John Rasheed Lassoned, allegedly a native of Egypt, along with a Filipino companion Anabel Moncera Salipada, left, Monday, Feb. 19, 2018 at Camp Crame in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines. Lassoued and Salipada were arrested over the weekend in possession of assorted firearms, ammunitions and components for IED (Improvised Explosives Device) such as electronic resistors, capacitors, batteries and pipe fittings. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
The Associated Press
Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa reads his statement as he presents to the media arrested foreigner Fehmi Lassoued, also known as John Rasheed Lassoned, allegedly a native of Egypt, along with a Filipino companion Anabel Moncera Salipada Monday, Feb. 19, 2018 at Camp Crame in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines. Lassoued and Salipada were arrested over the weekend in possession of assorted firearms, ammunitions and components for IED (Improvised Explosives Device) such as electronic resistors, capacitors, batteries and pipe fittings. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
The Associated Press